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Police officer attacked in downtown Savannah fight

Charles Howell

Two Savannah men have been charged after a fight in a downtown restaurant and bar Sunday morning in which an officer was attacked.

Charles Howell, 22, of Wilemere Drive, and James Edward White, 22, of Staley Avenue, were arrested after the incident at Taco Abajo on West Broughton Street about 2:15 a.m., said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.

Howell was charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction by resisting and simple battery of an officer. White was charged with disorderly conduct, battery and obstruction by hindering.

The men were arrested when Downtown Precinct officers arrived to break up a large crowd and a fight in the street in front of Taco Abajo and were asked by restaurant staff to enter the restaurant to break up another one, Miller said.

Once inside, the officers began pulling participants apart and ordering them to leave on behalf of the restaurant.

Howell refused and was being escorted through the crowd up the stairs to the door when White screamed at officers, warning them not to touch his cousin, Miller said.

White jumped on the back of the officer leading Howell away, pushing him to the floor and grabbing him around the neck, Miller said.

Other officers pulled him away, but not before one officer had to grab his own holstered gun to keep it from being taken away and another officer lost his police radio, Miller said.

One man was arrested from the original incident on West Broughton Street and a weapon was found, but police have not connected the two, Miller said.

Police had been called to the area multiple times over the weekend to deal with large crowds, including 1:19 a.m. Friday when they had to disperse more than 100 people who were outside awaiting entry into the small restaurant. Loud music was being played from a vehicle parked in front.

Police began ordering those outside the restaurant to disperse about the time heavy rains began that aided the process.